Rab Kinetic 2.0 - Women's Review

Hybrid softshells offer enhanced protection beyond typical softshell jackets. Some achieve this by adding insulation, while others focus on providing extra weather resistance. However, most hybrid softshells struggle to excel in all areas, following the principle that a jack of all trades is a master of none. The Rab Kinetic 2.0 defies this convention and stands out as an exception. It is an excellent example of a hybrid jacket that offers superior water resistance without compromising breathability or mobility. If you need a lightweight, weather-resistant shell that doesn't feel constricting like a rain jacket, the Rab Kinetic 2.0 is an ideal choice to keep you comfortable and upbeat in any weather conditions.

Performance Comparison

Weather Protection

The Kinetic 2.0 is one of the most water-resistant jackets we tested. It is our first pick for alpine climbs when a surprise thunderstorm can rain on your glissade.

Our testing team put the Kinetic 2.0 to work in every imaginable condition, a bit like Forest Gump described, “Little bitty stingin' rain…and big ol' fat rain. Rain that flew in sideways. And sometimes rain even seemed to come straight up from underneath.” The Kinetic 2.0 aced our shower soak-through test by resisting water absorption, only slightly damp to the touch and leaving a slight wetness on the line of the front zipper. In light rain, the Kinetic beaded off moisture and kept us dry. Despite the fully taped seams and waterproof zipper, we did find it will eventually wet out if you are in a heavy rainstorm. There is no replacement for a proper rain jacket or poncho in such conditions. In heavy and prolonged torrents, you want a 3-layer membrane like Gore-tex or the impermeability of a hyperlight Cuben Fiber fabric. However, the Kinetic is ideal for transient summer storms or drizzly days when your head is in the clouds.

The Kinetic also provides excellent wind protection. The sleeve cuffs are adjustable, keeping drafts and drizzles from chilling your arms. We love the hood design, which protects your eyes from the rain but also has an inner elastic that seals on the forehead. The hood offers a balaclava-like coverage that protects the face from drafts when you seal up the protective bottom over the neck and lower sides of the face. You can cinch the hood quickly in the back for a snug wind barrier around most of the face. One downside is that this design fits better under a helmet, and some climbers prefer over-helmet designs to avoid the hassle and danger of taking helmets off mid-climb. We found it can fit over a helmet if one only zips up for partial coverage. While it offers superb weather resistance, the Kinetic's material is too thin to insulate. However, when the wind blasts, it does a sufficient job of protecting you from windchill and keeps you warm when layered over a puffy or fleece on days you want to stay cozy.

Breathability

With how well the Kinetic 2.0 resists moisture, we would expect subpar breathability, but Rab balances the waterproof fabric and taped seams with an underlying PU fabric, which is lightweight and unlined, allowing sweat to wick more quickly than through traditional waterproofed fabrics. We are impressed by this jacket's ability to provide ventilation and wick moisture from our skin.

The Kinetic 2.0 is made from the soft and stretchy Proflex fabric, designed to provide weather protection without sacrificing breathability. When hiking, it offered above-average breathability. While it did get a smidge swampier than other jackets in our review, you can open both pockets for increased ventilation. We were surprised by the breathability afforded by this jacket, as water resistance tends to correlate with an impermeable barrier that doesn't allow for adequate ventilation. While the Kinetic did not breathe as well as the active softshells in our review, it does breathe better than most hard shells or rain jackets, proving a comfort that doesn't require you to frequently layer on and off on variable-weather days in the mountains. It is best suited for high-output yet less wet or particularly chilly adventures.

Mobility

With supple, stretchy fabric and features designed for comfort, the Kinetic 2.0 feels great when you reach, twist, turn, and bend. You can easily lift your hands overhead without uncomfortably lifting the jacket, and the sleeves are stretchy for broad and dynamic movement.

With its four-way stretchy and plush fabric, the Kinetic 2.0 stands out in this category. One yoga teacher tester said it tops the charts for comfort during movement. The jacket feels incredibly soft, and the unmatched four-way pliable fabric is perfect for stretching on the trail on a windy day. The velcro cuffs provide a comfortable and tailored fit for the wrists, and an adjustable drawcord can tailor-fit the bottom.

This jacket has a looser fit than some with slimmer cuts without being baggy or boxy, making it one of the best technical designs we tested. You can adjust the length for different activities with an adjustable hem cord. It fits and moves well with most body types, whether thin or curvy. Plus, the extended cut on the back provides extra coverage to the tush.

Weight

At 9.3 ounces in the XS, the Kinetic 2.0 is one of our review's lighter jackets and has the best weather protection.

This jacket was not only featherweight on the scale, but it feels light when on. We always appreciate a layer that masters a barely-there feel so you can focus on having a blast while navigating wilderness warm and dry. But, we also caution against “stupid-light” choices that keep one so focused on cutting a few ounces that it can cost you too much protection to keep you going when it gets rough out there. Although outrageously light, this jacket had no trouble keeping our shirt dry underneath, marking it among the best of both worlds.

Versatility

When we determine versatility, we consider how the features of each jacket make the option suitable for various environments, climates, and activities. The Kinetic 2.0 garnered a slightly above-average score in terms of versatility because of its excellent weatherability, breathability, and mobility. Out of all the jackets in our lineup, it is the only one in which you get the benefits of a hard and soft shell.

We like the premium features offered by the Kinetic. This jacket has a fantastic hood featuring a snug inner gasket and outer moldable brim, velcro-adjustable cuffs, and harness-compatible pockets. Adding these features to the plush, ultra-stretchy, and incredibly weather-resistant fabric gives you a great jacket that can withstand light mountain rains and windy days. The Kinetic is extremely weather-resistant and breathable, but it is not the best jacket for four seasons. More technical softshells with warmer linings are more suitable for backcountry winter adventures.

Some features make this jacket less appealing to climbers in particular. We wish that the updated version of this jacket came with a stuff sack so it would be easier to stash in a pack or clip it to our harness. Another improvement would be a design that could extend the hood more easily over a climbing helmet so that we could flip the hood on the crag instead of taking off our “brain bucket” mid-air with the potential to drop it in transition.

Should You Buy the Rab Kinetic 2.0 - Women's

The Kinetic is one of the most waterproof soft shells you can find on the market. It is a good value for a lightweight, agile softshell with exceptional water and wind resistance. Couple this with supple, cozy fabric and premium features, and you have a killer hybrid softshell for summer mountaineering and light rainstorms. Come rain or shine, this jacket will quickly prove its worth, making this layer easy to recommend despite the price tag.

What Other Softshell Jackets for Women Should You Consider?

We love how the Kinetic is soft, stretchy, water-resistant, and breathable. It moves well and makes an exceptional layer for light rainstorms or wind in the high country. It is excellent for most sports, even if some jackets, like the Black Diamond Alpine Start Hoody - Women's, have better features for rock climbers with a helmet-compatible hood and its own stuff sack. If you need a jacket but want a little more insulating layer, then the Patagonia R1 CrossStrata Hoody has a fleece lining that keeps you warm while not wetting out your baselayers when you race through the snow.